Chapter 614 - 613: Demon Seal

Chapter 614: Chapter 613: Demon Seal

"Great Emperor, may I ask what has brought you to our prefecture?"

Bai Yulian asked respectfully from the side, though she was extremely anxious. ’If he didn’t come for Yu Shiqian, then why is he here? Did someone actually manage to provoke the Celestial Cloud Empire?’

"There’s no need to be nervous. I’ve come for a certain Treasure," Yi Tianyun said directly.

He knew that if he started digging, it would cause a huge commotion that the White Lotus Prefecture couldn’t possibly miss. The important thing was to ask first and see if they even knew about this Treasure.

"A Treasure? What Treasure... Don’t tell me you mean our prefecture’s guardian Treasure?" Bai Yulian said in surprise. "But even our guardian Treasure is only a low-grade Sacred Artifact at best. Before a Great Emperor, it’s hardly worth mentioning..."

Indeed, the best Treasure the White Lotus Prefecture possessed was a low-grade Sacred Artifact. For a third-rank influence, possessing even a single low-grade Sacred Artifact was quite remarkable.

However, just as Bai Yulian had said, a low-grade Sacred Artifact was truly of little value to him. It wasn’t that it was worthless, but rather that he had no interest in it. For his own subordinates, however, a low-grade Sacred Artifact was still quite a good item.

As for him, anything below the level of a Divine Artifact was something he wouldn’t even look at twice now.

"No, it’s not your current guardian Treasure. I’m wondering about your White Lotus Prefecture’s ancestors. Are there any ancestral instructions or historical records you know of?" Yi Tianyun inquired.

"Regarding our ancestors..." Bai Yulian began, then hesitated. ’They surely have their own secrets. It would be best not to say anything if I can help it.’

"If you won’t speak, I’ll just go and take it myself. I’m only telling you this in advance out of courtesy," Yi Tianyun said calmly. "It would be better if I retrieve it personally. If another Imperial Influence were to find it, I doubt they’d be as friendly as I am."

He wasn’t wrong. If the Celestial Nether Divine Kingdom had come instead, the White Lotus Prefecture would have been annihilated. They would have conquered the entire prefecture first before slowly beginning their search, ensuring the matter remained completely secret and no news leaked out.

A top-tier item like a Divine King’s Treasure was something even a Divine Country Level power would covet. The Celestial Nether Divine Kingdom wasn’t the strongest of the Divine Kingdoms, so they would certainly hide it for themselves and not dare to announce its discovery.

Bai Yulian’s expression turned grim as she seemed to struggle with an internal conflict.

"I’m not just making things up. I learned about this from a Divine Country Power in the Netherworld. They had originally planned to use the Netherworld Empire to locate this Treasure. Whether the Treasure they’re looking for is here or not, they will definitely come searching," Yi Tianyun stated calmly. "I was the one who eradicated the Netherworld Empire, but I doubt the Divine Country Power from the Netherworld will let the matter rest."

’I’m not an unreasonable person. If the White Lotus Prefecture is willing to negotiate in good faith, I won’t resort to force. I don’t know what this Treasure is, but if the Celestial Nether Divine Kingdom gets its hands on it, my Celestial Cloud Empire will be the first to suffer!’

’In fact, the entire Mortal Realm could be at risk. This is for my own sake, but it’s also a contribution to the safety of the entire Mortal Realm.’

’Even if I obtain this ultimate Treasure, I won’t use it recklessly, and I certainly won’t use it to conquer the world.’

"A Divine Country Power..." Bai Yulian’s expression grew even more grim. The Netherworld Empire’s reputation was infamous. After thinking for a moment, she finally sighed and said, "Very well, I will tell you. A long time ago, our ancestor said that a Demon’s Soul is trapped at the bottom of White Jade Peak. It must absolutely never be dug up, or it will bring about a cataclysmic disaster!"

"In order to suppress this Demon’s Soul, a large amount of Yin Qi is required. That is why we can only recruit female disciples and are forbidden from taking in any male disciples..."

As Bai Yulian explained the details, Yu Shiqian, who was standing to the side, was stunned. ’I never thought there was a story like this behind the prefecture.’

"So that’s how it is..." Yi Tianyun’s gaze sharpened. ’It’s entirely possible. The so-called Divine King’s Treasure is likely a ruse. Breaking the seal is probably their real goal!’

"Yes, which is why it absolutely cannot be excavated..." Bai Yulian urged. "This is an ancestral command passed down to every Mansion Master. Only we Mansion Masters are allowed to know this secret; no one else is aware."

Yi Tianyun nodded. It made sense. ’For something like this, the fewer people who know, the better. It’s only natural that most are kept in the dark.’

"Is there a passage leading down?" Yi Tianyun asked.

"No, there isn’t. We’ve never dared to dig down and look. It’s always just been buried down there, so we don’t know the exact situation," Bai Yulian explained.

"In that case, I will create a passage myself," Yi Tianyun said calmly. "Don’t try to stop me. Some things need to be investigated up close. If it really is a Demon Seal, I won’t destroy it. In fact, I’ll reinforce it. So many years have passed; even the strongest Divine Rune seal is bound to have weakened."

"And if it has loosened, you can imagine the consequences. Even if no one disturbs it, it might eventually break free on its own."

Yi Tianyun’s words were incisive, and Bai Yulian’s expression changed. Thinking about it, she realized he was right. ’It’s been so long. No matter how powerful a Divine Rune is, it’s bound to weaken over so many years.’

This was undeniable. Even Divine Runes left behind by countless Divine Rune Masters, or even Divine Rune Grandmasters, would gradually erode with the passage of time until they eventually vanished completely.

The only difference was that the more advanced the Divine Rune, the longer it would last.

"Then... I’ll have to trouble you, Celestial Cloud Emperor," Bai Yulian finally agreed through gritted teeth.

She knew that no matter how she tried to dissuade him, it would be pointless. ’With his level of cultivation, Yi Tianyun could annihilate them with ease. What power do I have to stop him? Besides, he’s right. If the Divine Rune has really weakened, we’ll be in terrible trouble.’

"Good. If it’s possible to move it, I’ll transfer the seal somewhere else. Then you won’t have this hidden danger hanging over you anymore," Yi Tianyun said.

"Really? If it could truly be moved..." Bai Yulian’s eyes lit up. Being forced to recruit only female disciples had never been something they wanted.

They had always wanted to recruit male disciples to strengthen their influence, but because of the need to suppress the Demon Seal, they had no choice but to recruit only women. It was an act of necessity. If the seal could be moved, recruiting male disciples would drastically increase the White Lotus Prefecture’s power!

"Whether or not it can be moved is something I’ll have to see for myself," Yi Tianyun gestured and said, "Mansion Master Bai, please lead the way. Anyone not directly involved should stay out of this. The fewer people who know about it, the better."

As he spoke, Yi Tianyun glanced at Yu Shiqian. She quickly nodded, indicating that she understood.

"Th-then I’ll head back for now..." Yu Shiqian knew her own limits, so she didn’t intend to follow them.

’The fewer who know about this, the better. My presence won’t be of any help anyway, so it’s best if I don’t go.’

"You come with me. You can see the situation for yourself," Yi Tianyun said with a wave of his hand. "Your talent isn’t bad. You might even gain some insight from this."

"Th-thank you, Great Emperor!" Yu Shiqian was thrilled. Although she was a little worried, having Yi Tianyun by her side made her feel completely safe.